U.S. patent number 4,923,240 [Application Number 07/255,438] was granted by the patent office on 1990-05-08 for apparatus for releasably securing a cover to a structure.
Invention is credited to Thomas E. Swanson.
United States Patent |
4,923,240 |
Swanson |
May 8, 1990 |
Apparatus for releasably securing a cover to a structure
Abstract
An apparatus for securely covering a material receiving
structure, for example the cargo box of a pickup truck, is
disclosed which includes a flexible cover, a cover positioning
portion attachable to the structure adjacent to an open side
thereof, and an engaging portion attached to the cover and
selectively engagable with the cover positioning portion to thereby
secure the cover over the open side. The cover positioning portion
includes a body attachable to the structure, a wall extending from
the body at a position spaced from the structure and a lip
extending from the body at a position between the wall and the
structure. The engaging portion includes a retainer and a bridging
section, the retainer being positionable between the lip and wall
of the cover positioning portion so that the bridging section
contacts the wall when the cover is made taut over the open end of
the structure thus causing the retainer to contact the lip. An
elastic cord is connected with the engaging portion adjacent to the
retainer thereof to bias the retainer toward the body of the
positioning portion to supplement securement of the cover at the
open end of the structure, and bows may be provided to bridge the
open side to thus prevent sagging of the secured cover into the
open side of the structure due to moisture accumulation and the
like.
Inventors: |
Swanson; Thomas E. (Boulder,
CO) |
Family
ID: |
22968329 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/255,438 |
Filed: |
October 11, 1988 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/100.18;
160/378 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J
7/104 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60J
7/10 (20060101); B60J 7/08 (20060101); B60J
007/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;296/100,98
;160/378 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Song; Robert R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Burdick; Harold A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A securing apparatus for securing a first section of a flexible
cover to a structure, said flexible cover having at least a second
section securable to said structure, said securing apparatus
comprising:
positioning means for establishing a position of said first section
of said flexible cover relative to said structure so that said
flexible cover is tautly maintained between said first and second
sections of said flexible cover when said sections are secured,
said positioning means being attachable to said structure and
including a body portion and first and second mounting
portions;
engaging means engagable with said positioning means for securely
maintaining said flexible cover on said structure, said engaging
means being attachable to said first section of said flexible cover
and including first and second parts positionable adjacent to said
first and second mounting portions of said positioning means so
that said first part is urged substantially constantly in a first
direction into contact with said first mounting portion of said
positioning means by said flexible cover when said second section
thereof is secured to said structure, and said second part is urged
substantially constantly in a second direction into contact with
said second mounting portion of said positioning means by said
contact of said first part with said first mounting portion of said
positioning means, said contacts maintaining said engaging means in
engagement with said positioning means and thus securing said first
section of said flexible cover to said structure; and
biasing means positioned adjacent to said second part of said
engaging means for biasing said second part toward said body
portion of said positioning means.
2. The securing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said structure
includes at least a first truck cargo box bed rail, wherein said
positioning means includes fasteners positionable through said body
portion for attaching said positioning means to said bed rail, and
wherein said body portion of said positioning means has upper and
lower surfaces, said upper surface having said first mounting
portion extending outwardly relative to said cargo box thereat,
said lower surface being positioned adjacent to said first bed
rail, and wherein said positioning means also includes resilient
bed rail protecting means at said upper surface of said body
portion and said first mounting portion for protecting said bed
rail and concealing said fasteners.
3. The securing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said structure is a
truck cargo box having a first bed rail, a second bed rail opposite
said cargo box from said first bed rail, a forward bed rail and a
tailgate opposite said cargo box from said forward bed rail,
wherein said flexible cover has third and fourth sections, said
second section being securable to said forward bed rail, wherein
said positioning means is attachable to said tailgate and said
first and second bed rails for establishing securing positions of
said first, third and fourth sections of said flexible cover,
respectively, and wherein said engaging means is attachable to said
first, third and fourth sections of said flexible cover.
4. The securing apparatus of claim 3 wherein said apparatus further
comprises channel means attached to said forward bed rail and a
tubular mount securable to said second section of said flexible
cover and slidably receivable in said channel means for securing
said second section of said flexible article to said forward bed
rail.
5. The securing apparatus of claim 4 wherein said engaging means
includes a second tubular mount positioned adjacent to said second
part thereof, and wherein said apparatus further comprises first
and second biasing means each having matable engaging sections,
said first biasing means being positioned through at least said
tubular mount securable to said second section of said flexible
cover, and said second biasing means being positioned through at
least said second tubular mount of said engaging means adjacent to
said tailgate of said structure, said matable engaging sections of
said first and second biasing means being engaged with each other
for biasing said second part of said engaging means toward said
body portion of said positioning means.
6. A cover securing apparatus for releasably securing a flexible
cover to a structure, said cover securing apparatus comprising:
cover positioning means for establishing the position of said cover
relative to said structure when said cover is secured, said cover
positioning means including a body portion attachable to said
structure, a wall portion extending from said body at a position
above said structure and a lip portion extending from said body
portion below said wall portion;
engaging means engagable with said cover positioning means for
maintaining said cover on said structure, said engaging means being
attachable at one portion thereof to said flexible cover and having
a retaining portion releasably positionable adjacent to said body
portion of said cover positioning means between said wall portion
and said lip portion thereof and a bridging portion extending
between said one portion and said retaining portion, said bridging
portion contacting said wall portion of said cover positioning
means when said retaining portion is positioned adjacent to said
body portion of said cover positioning means, and said retaining
portion contacting said lip portion of said cover positioning means
when said retaining portion is positioned adjacent to said body
portion of said cover positioning means; and
biasing means connected with said engaging means adjacent to said
retaining portion thereof for biasing said retaining portion of
said engaging means toward said body portion of said cover
positioning means.
7. The cover securing apparatus of claim 6 wherein said structure
is the forward bed rail, first and second opposite side bed rails
and tailgate of a truck cargo box, wherein said flexible cover is a
tonneau cover having leading, trailing, and first and second
lateral edges, and wherein said apparatus further comprises channel
means attached to said forward bed rail and a mount securable to
said leading edge of said tonneau cover and slidably receivable in
said channel means for securing said leading edge of said tonneau
cover to said forward bed rail.
8. The cover securing apparatus of claim 7 wherein said positioning
means and said channel means include resilient bed rail and
tailgate protecting means for protecting upper surfaces of said bed
rails and tailgate from marring due to cargo being loaded or
carried in said cargo box.
9. The cover securing apparatus of claim 7 wherein said cover
positioning means includes at least first, second and third
independently mountable lengths thereof attached to said tailgate
and said first and second opposite side bed rails, respectively,
and wherein said engaging means includes first, second and third
lengths thereof independently attachable to said trailing and first
and second lateral edges of said tonneau cover, respectively, said
lengths of said cover positioning means and said channel means
being selectively positionable for attachment to said bed rails and
tailgate so that a cover having a first size is fittable to a
plurality of differently sized truck cargo boxes.
10. The cover securing apparatus of claim 9 wherein said second and
third lengths of said cover positioning means each include track
means extending from said body portion thereof facing inwardly
toward each other, and wherein said apparatus further comprises a
plurality of resilient bows having opposite end portions slidably
receivable in a different one of said track means of said second
and third lengths of said cover positioning means to thereby span
said cargo box between said first and second opposite side bed
rails thereof, said bows being of a length so that said bows are
bowable away from said cargo box when received by said track means,
said tonneau cover being secured over said bows.
11. The cover securing apparatus of claim 10 wherein said plurality
of bows each include a plurality of sections, said sections of each
of said bows being movable between storable and assembled positions
relative to one another.
12. The cover securing apparatus of claim 10 wherein said engaging
means is constructed of a material which is flexible at least in a
first direction so that when said first, second and third lengths
thereof are released from said cover positioning means said cover
may be compactly stored adjacent to said forward bed rail of said
cargo box.
13. The cover securing apparatus of claim 12 wherein said plurality
of bows are slidable in said track means to positions adjacent to
said forward bed rail of said cargo box to thereby cooperatively
form a shelf thereat, wherein said cover is stored in a rolled
configuration on said shelf without detaching said mount from said
channel means, and wherein said biasing means includes sections for
releasably maintaining said cover in its rolled configuration.
14. An apparatus for covering an open side of a cargo holding
structure having at least a first side wall portion adjacent to
said open side of said structure, said apparatus comprising:
a flexible cover;
cover positioning means for establishing the position of said cover
relative to said at least first side wall portion of said
structure, said cover positioning means including a body portion
attachable to said at least first side wall portion of said
structure, first and second mounting portions extending from said
body portion and resilient protecting means securable adjacent to
said body portion for protecting an upper surface of said side wall
portion and said cover positioning means from marring during
movement of said cargo; and
engaging means engagable with said cover positioning means for
maintaining said cover adjacent to said open side of said
structure, said engaging means being attached to said flexible
cover and being substantially inflexible in a first direction and
including first and second parts positionable adjacent to said
first and second mounting portions, said first part being
releasably positionable adjacent to said first mounting portion of
said cover positioning means so that it can be urged into contact
with said first mounting portion, and said second part being urged
into contact with said second mounting portion of said cover
positioning means when said first part is urged into contact with
said first mounting portion of said cover positioning means, said
contacts maintaining said engaging means in engagement with said
cover positioning means and thus securing said flexible cover
adjacent to said open side of said structure.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said structure has at least
second and third side wall portions spaced from one another and
adjacent to said open side, said cover positioning means including
at least first, second and third lengths thereof independently
attachable to said first, second and third side wall portions,
respectively, and said engaging means having first, second and
third lengths thereof attached to different parts of said flexible
cover and being releasably engagable with said first, second and
third lengths of said cover positioning means respectively.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said second and third lengths
of said cover positioning means each include track means extending
from said body portion thereof facing inwardly toward each other,
and wherein said apparatus further comprises a plurality of
resilient bows slidably positionable between said track means so
that said bows span said open side of said structure and bow
outwardly from said structure.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said structure includes at
least a fourth side wall portion with said cover being securable
thereto, wherein said engaging means is formed of a material which
is flexible in a second direction so that when said first, second
and third lengths of said engaging means are released from
engagement with said lengths of said cover position means said
cover is securably storable in a rolled configuration adjacent to
said fourth side wall portion of said structure without
disengagement of said cover from said fourth side wall portion or
of said engaging means from said cover.
18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said engaging means includes
a tubular mount adjacent to said second part thereof and wherein
said apparatus further comprises biasing means positioned through
said tubular mount for biasing said second part of said engaging
means toward said body portion and said second mounting portion of
said cover positioning means.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to protective covers, and, more
particularly, relates to an apparatus for securely covering the
open side of a material receiving structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Protective and/or decorative cover systems, including a flexible
cover and apparatus for releasable securement of such covers to a
structure, are well known, and have been used, for example, for
covering an opening in a material receiving structure, such as the
cargo area of pickup trucks (where such covers are generally known
as tonneau covers), boats and the like (see, for example, U.S. Pat.
No. 4,639,033). Such apparatus heretofore known and/or utilized for
securement of such covers have included utilization of snaps, tie
downs, Velcro material, and matable channel and rail arrangements
for securing the cover to the structure to be covered.
Covering systems heretofore known and/or utilized have not been
completely successful, however, in providing such a securement
apparatus which is durable, which evenly spreads stresses exerted
on the cover when secured, allows the cover to be easily and
quickly taken on and off the structure, allows for convenient
storage of the cover and access to the structure without entirely
removing the cover from the structure, provides for stability in
wind where mounted on movable structures, prevents sagging of the
cover when secured, is fittable to a multiplicity of differently
sized structures, which is attractive with the cover off and
provides protection against damage to the portion of the structure
to which the apparatus is attached. Further improvements in such
covering systems could therefore still be utilized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides an apparatus for securing selected sections
of a flexible article, such as a cover, to a structure, for example
the cargo box of a truck, wherein an engaging portion attachable to
the flexible article and having first and second parts releasably
engages a positioning portion attachable to the structure so that
the flexible article is tautly maintained between the sections
thereof. The positioning portion includes a body with first and
second mounting sections extending therefrom positioned so that the
first and second parts of the engaging portion are positionable
adjacent thereto and when thus positioned are urged substantially
constantly in different directions into contact with the first and
second mounting sections, respectively, the contacts maintaining
the engaging portion in engagement with the positioning portion
until actively disengaged by a user of the apparatus.
An elastic cord is connected to the engaging portion for releasably
biasing the engaging portion toward the body of the positioning
portion between the first and second mounting sections thereof to
provide still more stable securement of the cover to tee structure.
A resilient padding may be provided, positionable adjacent to the
upper surface of the positioning portion, to provide protection
against scratches, dents and the like to the positioning portion
and to the area of the structure to which it is attached, for
example the cargo box bed rail and/or tail gate of a truck. By thus
constructing the apparatus, the apparatus fits a range of
structures to be covered of different sizes.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved
apparatus for releasably securing a flexible article to a
structure.
It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus for
releasably securing a cover to a structure wherein an engaging
portion having first and second parts is attachable to the cover
and a positioning portion having first and second mounting sections
is attachable to the structure so that the first and second parts
of the engaging portion are positionable adjacent to the
positioning portion and when thus positioned are urged
substantially constantly in different directions into contact with
the first and second mounting sections, respectively, thereof.
It is another object of this invention to provide an improved
apparatus for releasably securing a cover to the bed rails and
tailgate of a truck cargo box.
It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus for
covering the cargo box of a truck which includes a positioning
portion attachable to the tailgate and side bed rails, a cover, an
engaging portion attachable to the cover, and biasing means
securable with the engaging portion for providing further
securement of the cover over the cargo box.
It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus for
releasably securing a cover to a structure which includes bows for
spanning an opening in the structure to be covered and, when thus
positioned, to bow outwardly so that when the cover is secured
thereover sagging thereof is prevented due to accumulation of
moisture and the like.
It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus for
releasably securing a cover to a truck cargo box bed rails and
tailgate including a positioning portion attachable to the bed
rails and tailgate and an engaging portion attachable to the cover
and releasably engagable with the positioning portion wherein the
positioning portion includes a resilient protective padding secured
to the upper surface of the positioning portion to provide
protection against scratches, dents and the like to the bed rails
and tailgate due to loading of cargo into, or carriage of cargo in,
the cargo box.
With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent to
one skilled in the art as the description proceeds, this invention
resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of
parts substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularly
defined by the appended claims, it being understood that changes in
the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention are meant
to be included as come within the scope of the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings illustrate a complete embodiment of the
invention according to the best mode so far devised for the
practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the apparatus for releasably
securing a cover to a structure of this invention mounted to a
pickup truck cargo box bed rails and tailgate;
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 and
particularly illustrating the cover being disengaged from
positioning and mounting rails of the apparatus attached to the bed
rails and tailgate;
FIG. 3 is a bottom elevation view of the cover and engaging portion
of the apparatus of FIG. 1 shown disengaged from the positioning
and mounting rails;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken through section line 4--4 of FIG.
1 particularly illustrating the forward securement portion of the
apparatus;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken through section line 5--5 of FIG.
1 particularly illustrating the releasable cover securing portions
of the apparatus;
FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1
particularly illustrating attachment of the elastic cord utilized
to further assure securement of the cover;
FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the apparatus illustrating
the cover in a stored position at the forward part of the pickup
truck cargo box;
FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the cover in its stored position
as shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the disassemblable bows
utilized in the apparatus to bridge the opening in the cargo box
and particularly illustrating the various parts utilized for
assembly thereof; and
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a channel end cap of the apparatus
utilized for capping the ends of the positioning and mounting
rails.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, an apparatus 15 for covering an
opening in a structure, for example, the open side 17 of cargo box
19 of pickup truck 21, is shown in FIG. 1. Apparatus 15 includes
apparatus 23 for releasably securing a cover to a structure.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, cargo box 19 of truck 21 includes
forward bed rail 25, side bed rails 27 and 29, releasable tailgate
31 and bed 33. Apparatus 15 includes cover 35 securable to the bed
rails and tailgate by apparatus 23.
The apparatus 23 for releasably securing cover 35 to cargo box 19
includes a plurality of positioning and mounting portions 40-
attachable to bed rails 27 and 29 and tailgate 31, engaging portion
42 attachable to cover 35, and bows 44 engagable between
positioning and mounting portions 40 and spanning open side 17 of
cargo box 19.
Cover 35 (generically known as a tonneau cover) is made of a
flexible material, for example vinyl coated nylon or cotton, or a
mixture thereof. Positioning and mounting portions 40 are typically
unitarily constructed of aluminum, but could also be constructed of
other appropriate materials such as durable plastics and the like.
They may either be single channels of the length appropriate to run
substantially the entire distance of the bed rail or tailgate upon
which installed, or, as shown, comprise a plurality of shorter
units (one to two feet in length) positioned end to end to thus
cover the length of the bed rail or tailgate (for example, from
near the truck cab to near the tailgate for side bed rail
installation). Utilization of shorter units lends itself to ease of
packaging.
Bows 44 may be constructed of wood, aluminum or plastic extrusion,
and as shown in FIG. 2 may be constructed in several sections for
easy disassembly and storage thereof and for packaging thereof for
shipment. Engaging portion 42 should be constructed of a flexible
plastic material extruded in strips of substantially equal length
to the edge of the cover on which it is to be installed with the
plastic material being relatively inflexible over short distances
while maintaining some flexibility over longer distances to provide
for durability and yet storability (as shown FIGS. 2, 7 and 8) of
cover 35.
FIG. 3 shows cover 35 and engaging portion 42 removed from truck 21
and illustrates the underside of cover 35. Engaging portion 42 has
mounted therethrough (as more fully detailed hereinafter) an
elastic cord 50 through lengths 52, 54 and 56 of engaging portion
42 and elastic cord 58 mounted through length 60 thereof. Cords 50
and 58 are provided for biasing engaging portion 42, and
particularly lengths 52, 56 and 60 thereof, toward positioning and
mounting portion 40 when cover 35 is installed over the open side
of cargo bed 19 and matable loops 64 of the cords are connected
utilizing hooks 66.
Cover 35 is attached to lengths 52, 56 and 60 of engaging portion
42 at the outer edges thereof by, for example, stitching 70.
Turning now to FIG. 4, a sectional view of forward cover mount
assembly 72 of apparatus 23 attachable to forward bed rail 25 is
shown. Assembly 72 includes channel 74 which is open at its
opposite ends (adjacent to side bed rails 27 and 29) and which
includes channel constricting flanges 76 and 78 on either side of
an opening 80 at the upper portions thereof. Mounting channel 82 is
provided having inner chambers 84 and 86 defined by wall 88
therein, with wall 88 having spaced openings 90 for passage
therethrough of mounting screw 92. Bottom wall 94 includes openings
96 periodically spaced along bottom wall 94 for mounting screws 92
therethrough and into forward bed rail 25. Legs 100 and 102 are
provided beneath channel 82 to provide space for mounting pad 104
therein.
Mounting pad 104 may be, for example, a neoprene strip having an
adhesive side for ease of marking the position for installation of
assembly 72 on forward bed rail 25 and for providing a padding
beneath assembly 72 to provide protection against unduly marring
bed rail 25.
While channel 74 is shown adjacent to the forwardmost portion of
forward bed rail 25, it should be understood that assembly 72 could
be reversed so that channel 82 is positioned forwardmost to thereby
facilitate utilization of apparatus 23 on structures, and with
covers, of a variety of sizes.
Hook flanges 108 and 110 are provided on the upper side of channel
82 for permitting slidably mountable protective padding 112 therein
after installation of screws 92. Protective padding 112 may be, for
example, a resilient plastic material, and is provided for
protection of assembly 72 and bed rail 25 against rusting,
oxidation, scratching, denting and the like which might be caused
by loading or carriage of material in cargo box 19 and hides
abutting sections, where utilized, of channel 82 as well as screws
92.
Tubular mount 120 is provided within a loop 122 formed in cover 35
by, for example, stitching 125. Mount 120 may, for example, be
constructed of a five-sixteenths of an inch O.D. polyethylene
tubing, with the tubing being of greater diameter than the width of
opening 80. When assembly 72 is mounted to forward bed rail 25
adjacent to the cab of truck 21, mount 120 is fitted through the
loop 122, with the tubing and the loop then being slid into channel
74 through one of the open ends thereof, so that loop 122, and thus
cover 35, extend through opening 80 and over flange 78. In this
fashion, cover 35 is securable in channel 74. Before or after mount
120 is installed in channel 74, cord 50 is installed through mount
120.
FIG. 5 is illustrative of lengths 130, 132 and 134 of positioning
portion 40 (as shown in FIG. 2), the lengths being substantially
equal to the length of the bed rails or tailgate on which it is
installed, it being understood that such lengths could be
accomplished by end to end installation of a plurality of shorter
units. Length 132 of positioning portion 40 is particularly
illustrated in FIG. 5 attached to side bed rail 29, and includes
central channel, or body, 138 having elongate compartments 140 and
142 defined therein by bottom wall 145, central wall 147, and side
walls 149 and 151 thereof. Legs 153 and 155 extend below bottom
wall 145 for mounting of padded strip 157 therebetween and between
bed rail 29 and bottom wall 145.
Bottom wall 145 and central wall 147 have spaced openings 160 and
162 therein, respectively, for mounting of channel 138 to bed rail
29 utilizing screws 165. Hook flanges 168 and 170 are provided
adjacent to the upper surface of channel 138, with flange 170
extending from the end of upper mounting wall 172 extending from
channel 138. Hook flanges 168 and 170 receive protective pad 175
therein for purposes of protection of the bed rail and tailgate of
the vehicle and concealing the fasteners and the like as heretofore
described with regard to protective padding 112.
Mounting lip 177 extends from wall 151 of channel 138 below upper
wall 172 thereof and above side rail 29.
Engaging portion 42, as shown in FIG. 5, includes bridging arm 180,
which is relatively inflexible along the cross sectional length
thereof, retaining, or abutting, end 182, outer attaching end 184,
and tubular mount 186 having elastic cord 50 mounted therethrough.
Cover 35 is attached to end 184 at one edge thereof by, for
example, stitching 190 through cover 35, end 184 and through
binding strip 192.
As may be appreciated, when cover 35 is made sufficiently taut, for
example by securing the cover to forward bed rail 25 and proceeding
to attach the cover to tailgate 31, so that when retaining end 182
is positioned adjacent to wall 151 between lip 177 and upper wall
172, the tautness of cover 35 urges bridging arm 180 in a
substantially constant first direction toward wall 172, retaining
end 182 being urged substantially constantly in a second direction
towards lip 177 by the contact of bridge 180 with wall 172, thereby
effectively maintaining engaging portion 42 in engagement with
positioning portion 40.
The mounting position of engaging portions 42 may be varied along
the width of the upper surface of bed rails 27 and 29 and tailgate
31 so that, together with the selected position of assembly 72, one
cover size can be utilized to fit a plurality of differently sized
truck beds.
Bow 44 is slidably maintained in channel, or track, 198 formed by
wall 149, leg 155 and hook flange 168. With channels 198 of lengths
130 and 132 of positioning portion 40 being positioned on bed rails
27 and 29 facing one another (as shown in FIG. 2), bows 44, when
assembled, may be slidably positioned between the channels and
evenly spaced over the opening to thereby provide an outward bow
from cargo box 19 so that when cover 35 is mounted thereover
moisture accumulation and the like is prevented.
As shown in FIG. 6, where positioning portions 40 are attached to
bed rails 29 and tailgate 31, elastic cords 50 and 58 extend
through tubular mounts 186 of engaging portions 42 with matable
loops 64 being maintained by crimps 204, and with the loops being
connected by hook 66 to thereby bias mounting portions 42 toward
channel 138 of positioning portion 40. Channels 138 have end caps
206 positioned therein to prevent moisture and dirt accumulation in
the channel (cap 206 also being shown in FIG. 10).
When thus configured, the covering apparatus of this invention can
be stored adjacent to forward bed rail 25 without removal of cover
35 from channel 74 as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Engaging
portion 42 and cover 35 may be stored in a rolled configuration
upon disengagement of lengths 52, 56 and 60 of engaging portion 42
from lengths 130, 132 and 134 of positioning portion 40. The rolled
configuration is maintained by looping portions 210 of elastic cord
50 (shown also in FIG. 3) extending between tubular mounts 186 and
120 over the rolled cover as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.
FIGS. 2 and 9 illustrate disassemblable bows 44 which include
elongate sections 212, 213 and 214, connectors 218 and 220, and end
caps 222 and 224. As illustrated in FIG. 8, when bows 44 are
assembled and installed, the bows may be slid fully to the forward
portion of lengths 130 and 132 of positioning portion 40 and
adjacent to forward bed rail 25 to thereby provide a shelf upon
which cover 35 and engaging portions 42 in their rolled
configuration may be maintained when stored. When the cover is not
in use, bows 44 may also be disassemblable for compact storage
thereof either within the cargo bed of the vehicle or
elsewhere.
FIG. 10 illustrates end caps 206 mountable in the ends of channels
138. Caps 206 include outer cap wall 230 and plugs 232, with the
plugs being maintained in compartments 140 and 142 (as illustrated
in FIG. 5) of channels 138 adjacent to the walls thereof.
As may be appreciated, an apparatus for securely covering a
material receiving structure such as the cargo box of a pickup
truck is provided which is durable, which evenly spreads stresses
exerted on a cover when secured, which allows the cover to be
easily and quickly taken on and off the structure, allows for
convenient storage of the cover and access to the structure without
entirely removing the cover from the structure, provides for
stability in wind when mounted on movable structures, prevents
sagging of the cover when secured and provides protection against
damage to the portion of the structure to which the apparatus is
attached.
* * * * *